Predictors of attitudes towards postgraduate education of nurses: A descriptive and correlational study

This study was conducted to identify the determinants of the attitudes of postgraduate nurses towards postgraduate education.

Postgraduate education in nursing contributes to many individual and professional gains. For this reason, nurses' attitudes towards postgraduate education are gaining importance.

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 201 nurses continuing their postgraduate education in Türkiye between 01 December 2022 and 30 August 2023. The data were obtained online via Google Forms. The data was collected using the 'Descriptive Characteristic form' and 'Scale of Attitude towards Postgraduate Education'. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the data.

The mean age of the nurses was 28.96 ± 4.85, and most of them were continuing their master's education (65.7%). Years of the employment were negatively and the quality of postgraduate education was positively related to attitudes toward postgraduate education (p < 0.05). According to the results of the multiple linear regression analysis, the quality of the postgraduate education had a significant positive effect on attitudes towards postgraduate education (β = 0.262, p < 0.001).

Years of employment and quality of education were related to attitudes towards postgraduate education. As the quality of education increases, nurses' attitudes towards postgraduate education increase positively. Different qualitative and quantitative studies need to be conducted on the attitudes of postgraduate nurses toward postgraduate education and the factors affecting them in Türkiye. Plans should be made to positively affect nurses' attitudes towards postgraduate education, and their professional and individual development should be supported.